Preface

Calorimetry is used to measure the transfer and exchange of heat. It is a technique that has applications in different research and industrial sectors that allows for computing how much heat is generated in a chemical reaction or in the change of state of aggregation.

This book reports on calorimetry in three sections: "Applications in General", "Calorimetry in Materials", and "Calorimetry in Biotechnology".

The first section includes general information on the applications, uses, and characteristics of calorimetry as an evaluation tool. The section presents a general overview of the technique including information on thermodynamic performance analysis in pulse detonation combustors, isothermal calorimetry of molecular interactions between small molecules in organic solvents, and assessment of heat capacity via a thermodynamic approach based on density functional theory calculations.

The second section evaluates the calorimetry technique in different materials. Chapters in this section address such topics as setting time and heat hydration development of Portland cement, using calorimetry to understand structural relaxation in chalcogenide glasses, and cone calorimetry in fire-resistant materials.

The third section focuses on the study of materials from biomolecules related to the skin. This section includes chapters on calorimetry to quantify protein-ligand binding and calorimetry in diagnosing skin allergies.

This book is a useful resource for those interested in understanding the importance and scope of the use of the calorimetry technique.

> **Dr. José Luis Rivera Armenta**  Tecnológico Nacional de México (TecNM), Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Madero, Ciudad Madero, México

> **Dr. Cynthia Graciela Flores Hernández** Tecnológico Nacional de México (TecNM), Instituto Tecnológico de Querétaro Querétaro, México

Section 1
